My workers on my farm used the cheap Chinese machetes when I bought the farm. I measured productivity and when I had a matrix, I then introduced GI machetes and Cold Steel Khukris, productivity went up almost 15% and the workers said at the end of the day they didn't feel so worn out.

My guys use a machete until it has been filled down so much it looks like a sabre, they then will reduce the length of it to like 10 inch blade and use it for processing during harvest till it breaks.

You want a hard workout try swinging a machete in tropical heat bent over for all day.